Preparation of Mn3O4 nanowires by calcining the precursor powders synthesized in a novel inverse microemulsion

Manganese oxide (hausmannite) nanowires were prepared by annealing precursor powders at a temperature of 800 °C for 3 h, which were produced in a novel inverse microemulsion (IμE) system. The microstructures of the as-prepared Mn₃O₄ nanowires were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectra. It has been found that the Mn₃O₄ nanowires were relatively straight and their surfaces were smooth with a typical diameter of 75–150 nm. The formation mechanism of the Mn₃O₄ nanowires is discussed. Received: 30 May 2002 / Accepted: 7 October 2002 / Published online: 17 December 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +86-25/359-5535, E-mail: wangqun@nju.edu.cn